Gage, Thomas, Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in America

Autograph letter signed ("Thos Gage"), one page (9 1/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 232 x 195 mm), New York, 22 February 1766, to General Robert Monckton, discussing the sale of army commissions and general unrest resulting from the Stamp Act; light discoloration to right margin, left margin guarded for insertion in an album. Red linen folding case, maroon morocco spine in 6 compartments, 2 compartments tooled in gilt, 4 brown morocco lettering pieces.

Gage writes to the former Governor of New York about the growing foment over the Stamp Act: "Your old friends here are grown very boisterous and mutinous. I wish the Parliament may cool them & bring them to their senses." After the imposition of the Stamp Act in 1765 which menaced colonial self-rule, the Massachusetts House of Representatives issued a call for all the colonies to send delegates to New York. There they framed resolutions of colonial rights and grievances and petitioned King and Parliament to abrogate the objectionable tax. The Stamp Act was repealed on 16 March 1766, but Parliament retaliated with the Declaratory Act,  which asserted its absolute authority to make binding laws for the colonies.

The first part of Gage's letter concerns the sale of army commissions. In creating new officers, Gage did not ordinarily endorse men with no financial resources, but he did occasionally support "gentlemen volunteers" who had distinguished themselves in battle.